Django has emerged as one of the most popular web frameworks for good reason. First and foremost, its robustness allows developers to create complex web applications with ease. In fact, with its built-in admin panel, developers can manage data and functionalities without having to build everything from scratch. Here are some key features that contribute to its appeal:

1. Fast Development: Django follows the 'batteries-included' philosophy, providing many essential tools right out of the box.
2. Security: Django has built-in protection against various attacks, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
3. Scalability: It is designed to help developers scale their applications effortlessly as demand grows.

In addition to its impressive features, Django promotes best practices and clean design. The framework encourages the use of the MVC (Model-View-Controller) design pattern, which helps in maintaining the code. Furthermore, its strong community support and extensive documentation mean that help is readily available. Here are more reasons why Django is a top choice:

1. Comprehensive Documentation: Django's documentation is thorough and beginner-friendly.
2. Versatile: It can be used for various applications, from content management systems to scientific computing.
3. Open-Source: Being an open-source framework, it continuously evolves with contributions from developers worldwide.

Building a web application from scratch using Django can be an enriching experience, especially if you are looking to create robust and scalable applications. Django is a high-level Python web framework that promotes rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. To get started, ensure you have Python and Django installed on your system. You can initiate your project by running the command django-admin startproject myproject. This will create a project directory that contains necessary files and settings. Next, create your first application within that project using python manage.py startapp myapp. This application will house the models, views, and templates:

1. Set up your models to define the data structure.
2. Create views that handle the business logic.
3. Design templates to determine how the application looks.

Once your basic structure is in place, it's time to implement a few essential features to make your application functional. Start by configuring the URLs to map requests to the appropriate views. In your urls.py file, you can specify paths that link to your views. Next, ensure to utilize Django's built-in admin interface by registering your models, which allows for easy management of your application's data. Finally, remember to test your web application regularly through Django's testing framework to catch any issues early. By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to successfully developing a complete web application with Django.

When developing with Django, it is crucial to avoid common pitfalls that can hinder your project's success. One major mistake developers often make is neglecting to manage dependencies properly. Using outdated or improperly versioned packages can lead to compatibility issues. Always keep your requirements.txt file updated and consider using virtual environments to isolate your project dependencies. Additionally, not following the DRY principle (Don't Repeat Yourself) can lead to redundant code that is difficult to maintain. Ensure you use Django's built-in features, such as class-based views and mixins, to promote code reusability.

Another critical error to avoid is inadequate testing of your application. Rushing through development without implementing a comprehensive testing strategy can result in serious bugs that are difficult to troubleshoot. Make sure to write unit tests for your views and models as part of your development process. Furthermore, many developers overlook the importance of security best practices. This includes ensuring that your application is resistant to SQL injection, CSRF, and XSS attacks. Utilize Django's built-in security features such as CSRF protection and secure password storage to safeguard your application from potential vulnerabilities.